Marceau, François

(1769-1796)

   general

   Born in Chartres, François-Séverin Marceau-Des-graviers, or François Marceau as he is known, was a lieutenant colonel in the National Guard and, at the time of the revolution of 1789, was put in charge of the defense of Mainz (1792). He then was sent with the Army of the West to fight against the vendéen insurgents. A division commander of the army at Sambre-et-Meuse, he helped to assure the victory of the French forces at Fleurus (June 26, 1794), then seized Koblenz (October 23, 1794). Administrator of Weisbaden, he was mortally wounded at Altenkirchen while assisting in the retreat of French troops under the command of Marshal jean-baptiste jourdan. The brave deeds and heroic death of General Marceau made him the prototype of the revolutionary hero. See also vendée, warofthe.